Kenya Destination Guide

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VARD AFRICA 
KENYA 
Destination Guide 
Where the safari was born - and where it still speaks most clearly. 
Kenya 
Where the safari was born. And where it still speaks most clearly. 
Kenya is not simply a destination. It is an origin story. This is where the word safari drawn from the Swahili for journey wa s first lived, first understood, and first 
shared with a world that had not yet seen what it was capable of. It is the country that  gave the world its image of Africa: the golden savannah, the acacia tree 
against an orange sky, the great herds moving across an open plain as though time itself had not yet begun to rush.  
And yet to experience Kenya only through that familiar image is to miss most of what it offers. This is a country of extraord inary diversity from the snow-
capped summit of Mount Kenya to the ancient coral reefs of the Indian Ocean coast, from the vast semi -arid reaches of Samburu to the dense, mountain 
forests of the Aberdares. It is a country where Maasai warriors still read the land with a precision that humbles every instr ument we have ever built, and where 
the Swahili culture of the coast carries centuries of Arab, Persian and African influence in its architecture, its food and its music.  
Kenya is the birthplace of the original safari a land where the word itself was first lived and understood as a journey into the wild, rather than simply a holiday. 
It is here that Africa revealed itself to the world through vast open plains, abundant wild life, and an enduring connection between people, land, and nature. To 
travel Kenya with Vard Africa is to experience that revelation for yourself not through the lens of a generic itinerary, but through the eyes of people who love 
this country deeply and personally, and who have spent years building the access, the relationships and the expertise to share it with you at its most  
extraordinary. 
KENYA THROUGH THE SEASON'S: 
Understanding Kenya Beyond 'Best Time to Visit' 
The question we are asked most often about Kenya is: when should I go? Our honest answer is always the same: it depends on wh at you are looking for. 
Kenya does not have a bad season it has different seasons, each with its own extraordinary character, its o wn wildlife dynamics, and its own specific rewards. 
Understanding them properly allows us to design a journey that is perfectly timed for the experience you are seeking.  

SEASON WILDLIFE WEATHER CROWDS 
Jan - Mar Excellent: dry, resident 
game concentrated 
Hot & dry Moderate 
Apr - May Good: Green & lush, 
fewer visitors 
Long rains Low - ideal 
Jun - Oct Peak: Migration & 
predator action 
Dry & cool High - book early 
Nov - Dec Excellent: short rains, 
green & beautiful 
Short rains Low to moderate 
January - March: The Golden Quarter. 
The first months of the year are among Kenya's finest for safari travel. The short rains of November and December have passed , leaving the landscape green 
and beautiful, and the long dry season has not yet arrived to concentrate the heat. Wildlife is abund ant and active the Maasai Mara hosts remarkable resident 
game year-round, and the Amboseli offers its most photogenic conditions, with Kilimanjaro frequently clear and luminous against a blue sky. Laikipia and 
Samburu are exceptional at this time dry, clear and teeming with wildlife that has gathered around the remaining water sources. For those seeking a quieter, 
more intimate experience without peak-season crowds and pricing, January to March offers extraordinary value and extraordinary wildlife in equal measure. 
April - May: The Green season. 
April and May bring Kenya's long rains and with them, a transformation of the landscape that is, in its own way, completely b eautiful. The savannah turns a 
vivid, saturated green. The rivers run full. The birdlife reaches its most spectacular, with migrato ry species arriving in enormous numbers. Wildlife disperses 
across the landscape rather than concentrating around water, which means game drives require more patience but the reward is a Kenya that feels entirely 
different from the dry-season experience. Rates at lodges and camps are significantly lower during this period, and those guests who travel now often find 
themselves with entire properties to themselves. For the discerning traveller who values genuine exclusivity and a more conte mplative pace, the long rains 
are not a reason to avoid Kenya they are a reason to love it differently.  
June - October: Peak Season & The Great Migration. 
This is the season that most people picture when they think of Kenya safari and for very good reason. The dry months from Jun e to October bring the Maasai 
Mara to the peak of its extraordinary annual drama: the Great Wildebeest Migration. Between July and October, approximately 1.5 million wildebeest, 
accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelle, cross the Mara River from Tanzania in one of the most spectacular wildlife events on earth. 
The river crossings chaotic, dangerous, magnificent can last from minutes to hours, and each one is entirely unpredictable. Predator activity across the Mara 
reaches its annual zenith during this period, and the dry conditions make wildlife viewing across the rest of Kenya outstandi ng. Book well in advance. The 
finest camps and lodges fill quickly during peak season, and the experiences available to those who plan early are significan tly richer than those available to 
those who do not. 
November - Early December: The Short Rains & The Quiet Magic 
The short rains arrive in November and typically ease by early December bringing a brief, gentle greening of the landscape an d one of Kenya's quietest, most 
atmospheric periods for travel. The crowds of peak season have dispersed. The rates have dropped. T he wildlife remains excellent and, with the landscape 
freshly washed and luminous, the photography is extraordinary. November and early December represent one of the best -kept secrets in Kenyan safari travel 
a window of relative solitude in some of the most beautiful places on earth, at prices that feel almost implausible given the quality of the experience  at your 
disposal.

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KENYA'S COAST & SAFARI PAIRING 
Seasonal Harmony 
Kenya's Indian Ocean coastline stretching from the ancient Swahili city of Mombasa south to the remote beaches of the Kenyan Riviera and north to the 
unspoiled shores near the Somali border is one of the finest in Africa. White sand, warm blue water, world -class diving and snorkelling, and a rich cultural 
heritage that rewards the curious traveller in every direction. 
The best beach conditions on the Kenyan coast align beautifully with the best safari conditions inland making a combined safari-and-coast itinerary one of the 
most naturally harmonious travel experiences in the world. 
- October to March offers the finest beach conditions calm seas, clear water, excellent diving visibility, and warm days withou t the equatorial humidity 
of the wetter months. 
- The southeast monsoon (kaskazi) runs from November to March, bringing favorable winds for traditional dhow sailing along the coast. 
- June to August can bring stronger southeast trade winds (kuzi) excellent for kitesurfing and windsurfing but less ideal for s norkelling and calm-water 
swimming. 
- April and May are the wettest months on the coast and are generally best avoided for beach travel though the diving at this t ime is, for those willing to 
brave the occasional rain, outstanding. 
Vard note:   Vard Africa's recommended pairing: 7 nights bush safari in the Maasai Mara or Amboseli, followed by 4 nights on the Kenyan coast arriving as the beach season 
opens and the bush is still at its finest. This combination delivers the full Kenyan story in a single, perfectly sequenced journey. 
Why Seasonality Matters to Us 
At Vard Africa, we do not simply tell you when to go. We tell you when to go for the specific experience you are seeking and then we design a journey that 
places you in exactly the right place at exactly the right moment. The difference between a good safa ri and a life-changing one is often not the destination 
itself, but the timing, the access and the depth of knowledge behind every decision. That depth of knowledge is what we bring  to every Kenyan journey we 
design. 
Getting Around Kenya 
Travel within Kenya is effortless when it is thoughtfully arranged and that is precisely what Vard Africa does. Every movemen t within your journey is designed 
to maximise your time in extraordinary places while delivering the same standard of comfort, priv acy and refinement that defines every other element of your 
experience. 
International Flights-Kenya is served by Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi and Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa. Direc t flights 
operate from major hubs including London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Doha and Addis Ababa. Vard Africa designer's advice you on all international flight connections to 
suit your preferred routing and travel style. 

Private Road Transfers-Discreet, chauffeur-driven transfers between airports, hotels, lodges and airstrips in well-maintained, air-conditioned vehicles with 
professional drivers who know the roads and the landscape. Private transfers offer flexibility, comfort and the privacy that our guests require. 

Domestic Scheduled Flights-Kenya's domestic aviation network connects Nairobi's Wilson Airport with the country's major safari regions including the Maa sai 
Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Laikipia via trusted operators including Safari Link, Air Kenya, Air wilderness, Scenic wilderness and many others. Scheduled flights 
are efficient, scenic and an experience in themselves. 

Helicopter Transfers-For guests who require absolute time efficiency, scenic aerial perspectives or access to remote locations not served by fixed -wing aircraft, 
helicopter transfers offer an unparalleled solution. The view of the Mara from a helicopter at dawn is one of the most extraordinary things Kenya has to offer and a 
privilege we are delighted to arrange. 

Scheduled Light Aircraft - Bush Flights-Light aircraft transfers between Kenya's iconic safari airstrips offer spectacular aerial views over savannahs, rivers, 
wildlife corridors and the Rift Valley. These flights are an integral part of the safari experience and are managed by pilots  of exceptional skill and experience. 

Private Charters-For families, groups or guests who require complete privacy and schedule flexibility, fully private aircraft charters can be arranged throughout 
Kenya. Your aircraft, your timetable, your safari. 
THE VARD AFRICA INSIDER TIP-KENYA BEYOND THE SAFARI: 
Kenya is extraordinary on safari. It is also extraordinary beyond it and the guests who discover this dimension of the countr y invariably describe it as the 
unexpected highlight of their entire journey. 
The Karura Forest in Nairobi a surprisingly vast urban wilderness of indigenous trees, waterfalls and cycling trails offers a  genuinely restorative morning just 
minutes from the city's finest hotels. The Karen Blixen Museum in the leafy suburb of Karen, se t in the grounds of the author's former coffee farm and 
immortalized in Out of Africa, is one of the most evocative historical spaces in East Africa. The Giraffe Centre, where Rothschild's giraf fes can be fed by hand 
at eye level, is among the most joyful wildlife experiences available anywhere on the continent and it is twenty minutes from the city centre.  
On the coast, the ancient town of Lamu a UNESCO World Heritage Site accessible by small aircraft s from the mainland is perhaps the finest example of 
Swahili architecture and culture in the world. No cars. No noise beyond the sound of dhows on the water and the call to praye r echoing between ancient 
coral-stone walls. A pace of life so entirely removed from the modern world that guests arrive as travellers and leave as something approaching philosophers.  
And in the highlands, the tea estates of Kericho vast, impossibly green terraces rolling across the ridges above the Rift Val ley offer a Kenya that most guests 
never see and that, once seen, is never forgotten. 
Vard note:   Ask your Vard Africa advisor about combining your Kenya safari with a night or two in Lamu, a morning in Karura Forest, or a private tour of the Karen Blixen estate. 
These additions cost very little in time and deliver experiences that guests consistently describe as among the finest of their entire journey. 
WHY WE LOVE KENYA AS A DESTINATION: 
We have been asked this question more times than we can count. And every time, the honest answer is the same: because it neve r stops surprising us. 
We have been to the Maasai Mara more times than we can accurately count. We have watched the migration in every month it occu rs, from every angle the 
landscape allows, in every condition the weather provides. And every single time every single time somethi ng happens that we did not expect. Something that 
makes us reach for our guide's arm and say, quietly, did you see that? 
Kenya is the destination that gave the world its idea of what a safari could be, where it could be and where you could do it right, And it is the destination that, 
in our experience, most consistently delivers on that idea completely, generously, and with the particular authority of a pla ce that has been doing this for 
longer than anywhere else on earth. 
It is also, beyond the wildlife, a country of remarkable beauty and remarkable people, Kenya was actually voted the country with the friendliest people in the 
world. The Maasai, whose relationship with the land and the animals that move across it is one of the most extraordinary human stori es Africa holds. The 
Samburu, whose beadwork and ceremony and cattle culture carry an ancient dignity that no outside influence ha s fully reached. The Swahili of the coast, 
whose culture is a living museum of centuries of maritime trade and cultural exchange.

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We love Kenya because it is inexhaustible. Because every journey reveals something new. And because the version of it that we  get to share with our guests 
uncompromised, expertly guided, perfectly timed is, in our genuinely held opinion, among the finest t ravel experiences available anywhere in the world. 
A NOTE ON FAMILIES & CHILDREN: 
Kenya is one of the finest family safari destinations in Africa and Vard Africa designs family journeys here with particular care and particular enthusiasm. The 
Maasai Mara's abundant wildlife and relatively flat, open terrain makes game-viewing accessible and exciting for children of virtually all ages. The spectacle of 
the migration is genuinely one of the most extraordinary things a child can witness and, in our experience, it produces a sense of wonder that shapes their 
relationship with the natural world permanently. 
Many of Kenya's finest camps and lodges offer dedicated family-friendly facilities including family tents, child-specific menus, junior ranger programmes, and 
guides who are experienced at making safari compelling and age-appropriate for young guests. We select family properties with great care, ensuring that the 
needs of both adults and children are met completely and without compromise.  
Please note that some activities including certain walking safaris and balloon flights carry minimum age restrictions. Your V ard Africa advisor will confirm all 
applicable restrictions as part of your journey design and will ensure that every member of you r family has an experience tailored precisely to their age, 
interests and energy. 
A NOTE ON HEALTH: 
Kenya is a safe and well-supported destination for international travellers, and the vast majority of guests travel without incident. The following he alth 
considerations are relevant for most itineraries and should be discussed with a qualified travel medi cine specialist or GP well in advance of departure. 
- Malaria is present in many of Kenya's wildlife areas, including the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and the coast. Antimalaria l prophylaxis is 
strongly recommended. Consult your doctor for the most appropriate option for your specific itinerary and health c ircumstances. 
- Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission, and is recommended for all 
travellers to certain parts of Kenya. Carry your Yellow Fever certificate with your travel documents.  
- Other recommended vaccinations for Kenya include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Rabies (for extended or remote travel). Yo ur travel medicine 
specialist will advise based on your specific itinerary. 
- Nairobi sits at an altitude of approximately 1,660 metres high enough that some guests experience mild altitude effects on ar rival. These typically 
resolve within 24 hours. The Aberdares and Mount Kenya regions are significantly higher and require appropri ate acclimatization planning. 
- Medical facilities in Nairobi are of a good standard, with several private hospitals equipped to handle most medical situatio ns. In remote safari areas, 
medical evacuation by air is the primary emergency response which is precisely why comprehensive travel  insurance including medical evacuation 
cover is a non-negotiable requirement for all Vard Africa bookings. 

Vard note:   Your Vard Africa advisor will provide destination-specific health guidance as part of your pre-departure briefing. We strongly recommend consulting a qualified travel 
medicine specialist at least 6 weeks before your departure date. 
A NOTE ON THE VISA AND RELATED TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 
Kenya operates an eVisa system for most international visitors a straightforward online application process that can be compl eted in advance of travel. The 
eVisa covers tourism, transit and business visits, and is typically processed within 3 business days , though we recommend applying at least 2 weeks before 
departure to allow for any delays. 
As of 2024, Kenya has also introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system. Visa requirements and entry conditions are subject to change your 
Vard Africa advisor will confirm the specific requirements applicable to your nationality and provide guidance on the applica tion process as part of your pre-
departure preparations. 
East African Tourist Visa: Travellers visiting Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda within a single trip may be eligible for a combined E ast African Tourist Visa a 
convenient and cost-effective option that your advisor can assist with where applicable. 
Vard note:   Always check the most current visa requirements with the Kenyan High Commission or Embassy relevant to your country of residence before applying. Requirements 
change and your advisor will keep you informed of any updates relevant to your specific travel dates. 
WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS ACROSS KENYA: 
Our Guests' Encounters with Kenya's Most Extraordinary Animals 
When travelling through Kenya, many of our guests document their wildlife encounters be they of lions, leopards or black rhin os and generously share their 
records with us. What follows is our comprehensive guide to Kenya's most remarkable wildlife: where t o find them, how to watch them, and the extraordinary 
facts that make each species a world unto itself. 
Every entry in this section has been written to enrich your experience in the field. We encourage you to read it before you g o, carry it with you, and return to it 
in the evenings after your game drives when the encounters of the day are still fresh and th e names and stories attached to them will land with the weight of 
lived experience rather than simple information. 

🦁 Lion 
Scientific name: Panthera leo   Habitat: Savanna & woodland   IUCN: Vulnerable   Adult weight: 120-225kg 
The lion is Africa's most iconic predator and, for many guests, the animal that defines the safari experience more completely  than any other. To see a pride at 
rest in the early morning light the males magnificent and indolent, the cubs wrestling in the du st, the females alert and watchful at the edge of the group is to 
understand something about wildness and power and social complexity that no photograph fully prepares you for. Kenya is one o f the finest countries in the 
world for lion encounters, and the Maasai Mara's resident prides are among the best-studied and most reliably viewable lion populations on earth. 

20 hrs 7kg 85-90% 43% 
Daily inactivity Daily meat (male) Hunting by females Population decline since 
1990 
Where to See Lion in Kenya 
The Maasai Mara is Kenya's premier lion destination home to some of the most famous and well -documented prides in Africa, including the celebrated Marsh 
Pride. The Amboseli ecosystem offers remarkable lion encounters with the backdrop of Kilimanjaro. Laiki pia's private conservancies, particularly Ol Pejeta 
and Lewa, host healthy lion populations with superb sightings in a low-traffic environment. Tsavo East and Tsavo West are home to the famous 'maneless 
lions' of Tsavo a distinct local population whose males carry little or no mane, giving them a striking and unforgettable appearance.

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Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Request lion-specific game drives at dawn and dusk lions are most active in the first and last hours of light. Ask your guide to locate prides by 
tracking vultures, which circle above kills. In the Mara, guides can communicate active sightings via radio use this network. Stay with a sighting: lion behaviour is dynamic 
and patience is consistently rewarded. If a pride is resting, wait the interaction and movement that follows stillness is often the most remarkable. 

Did You Know? A lion's roar can be heard up to 8 kilometres away and serves to announce territorial boundaries and maintain contact with pr ide 
members. Despite their reputation as apex predators, lions succeed in only around 20% of their hunts making every kill a rema rkable event to witness. 

🐆 Leopard 
Scientific name: Panthera pardus   Habitat: Savanna, woodland, forest, mountains   IUCN: Vulnerable   Adult weight: 30-90kg 
The leopard is the great enigma of the African bush a cat of such extraordinary beauty, such complete self -sufficiency, and such masterful concealment that 
every sighting feels like a privilege granted rather than a right earned. More powerful than its siz e suggests, more adaptable than any other large cat on earth, 
and possessed of a grace that makes even the most experienced guide pause the leopard is, for many of our guests, the animal that stays with them longest 
after they return home. Kenya offers some of the finest leopard viewing on the continent, particularly in the Maasai Mara and Laikipia, where habituation work 
over many years has produced individuals relaxed enough around vehicles to allow extended, intimate observation.  

64 5,200m 108cm 12-17 yrs 
Range countries Highest altitude recorded Max. tail length Average lifespan 
Where to See Leopard's in Kenya 
The Maasai Mara's fig and sausage trees along the Mara River are legendary leopard country ask your guide to check these tree s at first light. The Laikipia 
Plateau, particularly around Ol Pejeta and Lewa, offers exceptional leopard sightings in open countr y. The Samburu National Reserve hosts a healthy leopard 
population with regular sightings around the riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro River. For the most exclusive viewing, th e private conservancies bordering 
the Mara operate without the crowd restrictions of the national reserve and allow off-road driving for extended proximity to sightings. 

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Search trees first leopards haul kills into the branches and rest there through the heat of the day. Dawn and dusk are peak activity times. Move 
slowly and silently around a sighting: leopards are sensitive to engine noise and sudden movement. If a leopard is hunting, switch off the engine entirely and allow the 
drama to unfold without interference. Night drives in conservancies that permit them offer spectacular leopard encounters. 
Did You Know? A leopard can carry prey twice its own body weight up into a tree an astonishing feat of strength that protects kills from lions and hyenas. 
Each leopard's spot pattern its rosettes is as unique as a human fingerprint, allowing researchers to identify individuals wi th certainty. 

🐆 Cheetah 
Scientific name: Acinonyx jubatus   Habitat: Grassland & woodland   IUCN: Vulnerable   Adult weight: 50-70kg 
The cheetah is the athlete of the African savannah built for a single, extraordinary purpose and achieving it with a perfecti on of design that leaves every 
observer breathless. At 112 km/h, the fastest land animal on earth is also one of its most elegant: slender, long-limbed, with a face marked by distinctive black 
tear-stripes that run from eye to jaw. To watch a cheetah, hunt the slow, deliberate stalk, the explosive acceleration, the breathtaking sprint is one of the most 
thrilling experiences the African bush has to offer. Kenya's open grasslands, particularly in the Maasai Mara, are among the finest cheetah habitats on eart h. 

112 km/h ±2,000 3-5 ±7,000 
Maximum speed Number of spots Average litter size Worldwide population 
Where to See Cheetah in Kenya 
The open plains of the Maasai Mara are Kenya's premier cheetah destination the short grass and gentle topography allow cheeta hs to hunt and be observed 
with extraordinary clarity. The Amboseli National Park also offers excellent cheetah sightings, particul arly on the open plains between the swamps. The Mara-
Serengeti ecosystem supports one of the highest densities of cheetah on earth. Ask your guide about known resident females wi th cub's mother cheetahs 
with young are among the most spectacular wildlife experiences Kenya offers. 

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Cheetahs are diurnal most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Position your vehicle downwind and at a respectful distance during a hunt: 
cheetahs are easily distracted and a failed hunt due to vehicle interference is a genuine harm to the animal. Termite mounds are favoured vantage points scan these 
carefully with binoculars. A cheetah scanning the horizon with its head raised is often preparing to hunt. 
Did You Know? Unlike other big cats, cheetahs cannot roar they communicate instead with a remarkable repertoire of bird -like chirps, purrs and yelps 
that are quite unlike anything else in the African bush. After a sprint, a cheetah must rest for up to 30 minutes before eating during which time it is 
vulnerable to losing its kill to lions or hyenas. 

🦬 Buffalo 
Scientific name: Syncerus caffer   Habitat: Floodplains, mixed bush & moist grasslands   IUCN: Near Threatened   Adult weight: 500-950kg 
The Cape buffalo is simultaneously one of Africa's most impressive and most underestimated animals a creature of enormous phy sical power, complex social 
intelligence and a temperament that commands the respect of every experienced guide on the continent. M embers of the Big Five, buffalo are responsible for 
more injuries to humans in the African bush than any other large mammal, and yet they are also profoundly social, deeply affe ctionate within the herd, and 
capable of collective action that is genuinely remarkable to observe. Kenya's buffalo herds in the Maasai Mara, Tsavo and Aberdares are among the finest on 
the continent. 

1.7m 164cm ±400,000 11 months 
Max. shoulder height Record horn span Today's population Gestation period 
Where to See Buffalo in Kenya 
The Maasai Mara hosts large, resident buffalo herds that can be encountered throughout the year  particularly in the open plains and along the Mara River. 
Tsavo East and West support enormous buffalo populations, with herds occasionally numbering in the thousands. The Aberdare Na tional Park and Mount

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Kenya's forest zones are home to forest buffalo a smaller, darker subspecies that offers a completely different viewing exper ience in a dramatic mountain 
setting. Old dagga boy's elderly bulls that have left the main herd to form small bachelor groups are frequently encountered in the Mara and offer exc eptional 
close-range viewing. 

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Old bulls living apart from the main herd are the most frequently encountered and the most photogenic. In the Mara, look for buffalo near water 
sources at dawn and dusk. Never underestimate a buffalo on foot: they are unpredictable and extremely dangerous when wounded or surprised. From a vehicle, a relaxed 
approach and patient observation reveals the remarkable social dynamics of a herd grooming, sparring, the hierarchy of age and strength playing out in real time. 
Did You Know? Buffalo are the only member of the Big Five not classified as threatened at the species level, yet they remain one of the mos t dangerous 
animals in Africa. A herd of buffalo has been observed mounting coordinated rescue missions for calves taken by lions d riving off entire prides through 
sheer collective force and determination. 

🐕 The African Wild Dog 
Scientific name: Lycaon pictus   Habitat: Savannah & woodland   IUCN: Endangered   Adult weight: 20-36kg 
The African wild dog is one of the most endangered and one of the most remarkable predators on earth. A hunter of extraordina ry efficiency, a parent of 
exceptional devotion, and a pack animal whose social bonds are as intricate and as moving as anything th e animal kingdom produces the wild dog is, for 
those who are fortunate enough to encounter them, an experience that fundamentally changes how one thinks about wildlife and about wildness. Their 
painted coats no two individuals identical their enormous Mickey Mouse ears, and their extraordinary vocalizations make them instantly recognizable. In 
Kenya, wild dog sightings are genuinely rare and genuinely special.  

60% 10 1.9-5.2kg 8-10 wks 
Hunt success rate Average litter size Daily meat consumed Pups abandon den 

Where to See African Wild Dog in Kenya 
Wild dogs are sparsely distributed in Kenya and sightings are never guaranteed which makes each encounter all the more extrao rdinary. Laikipia is currently 
the most reliable region for wild dog sightings in Kenya, with resident packs on several of the majo r conservancies including Ol Pejeta, Lewa and Borana. The 
private conservancies of the Mara ecosystem also host occasional wild dog activity. Your Vard Africa advisor will design your  itinerary to maximise the 
probability of an encounter and will brief your guides to prioritize wild dog tracking. 

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Wild dogs are most active at dawn and dusk the pack moves fast and covers enormous distances, so early starts are essential. If a sighting is 
reported, move quickly: packs do not wait. The best wild dog experiences involve following the pack on a hunt request this specifically from your guide. Do not crowd a den 
site: disturbance to pups can cause the pack to abandon a den, with devastating consequences for survival. 
Did You Know? African wild dogs have the highest hunt success rate of any large predator in Africa succeeding in approximately 60-80% of chases, 
compared to around 20-30% for lions. After a successful hunt, the entire pack including pups, injured members and those who stayed at the den feeds  
before any individual eats alone. No other predator practices this level of collective generosity. 

🦴 Spotted Hyena 
Scientific name: Crocuta crocuta   Habitat: Semi-desert, forest, savannah   IUCN: Least Concern   Adult weight: 40-80kg. 
The spotted hyena is one of Africa's most misunderstood and most fascinating animals maligned in popular culture as a scaveng er and a coward, but in 
reality, one of the continent's most successful and most socially sophisticated predators. Spotted hyenas kill the majority of their o wn food, are governed by 
complex female-dominated social hierarchies, and communicate through a vocabulary of sounds  including the famous laugh that rivals any mammal in its 
richness and variety. To watch a hyena clan at work, at rest, or in the extraordinary ritualized behaviour of greeting ceremonies, is to completely revise 
whatever assumptions you arrived with. 

40% 5km 14.5kg 25% 
More bite force than 
leopard 
Contact call range Meat at one sitting Cubs killed by siblings 
(month 1) 

Where to See Spotted Hyena in Kenya 
Spotted hyenas are widespread throughout Kenya's wildlife areas and are reliably encountered in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Sa mburu and Tsavo. The 
Mara's hyena clans are among the best-studied in Africa several have been the subject of decades-long research programmes that have revealed the 
extraordinary complexity of hyena social life. Hyena dens, where cubs are raised and the full drama of clan hierarchy plays o ut, are extraordinary places to 
spend an extended period. Ask your guide to take you to an active den if one is known in your area. 

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Visit a hyena den at dawn when the clan returns from a night of hunting the arrival of adults and the behaviour of the cubs at this time is 
extraordinary. Hyenas are most active after dark: night game drives in conservancies that permit them offer the best hyena viewing. Do not underestimate the intelligence 
of a hyena observing you these are highly cognitive animals and their attention is discernible and memorable. 
Did You Know? The spotted hyena's laugh one of the most iconic sounds in the African bush is not an expression of amusement but a signal of  
excitement, submission or distress. The females of a hyena clan are dominant over all males and are physically larger and soc ially more powerful. The 
spotted hyena has the strongest bite of any mammal relative to body size, capable of crushing elephant bone to extract the nu tritious marrow within. 

🦡 Striped Hyena 
Scientific name: Hyaena hyaena   Habitat: Semi-desert, savannah   IUCN: Near Threatened   Adult weight: 22-55kg 
The striped hyena is the lesser-known of Kenya's two hyena species quieter, more solitary, and considerably more elusive than its spotted cousin. Found 
primarily in Kenya's drier northern and eastern regions, the striped hyena is a nocturnal omnivore of an cient lineage whose range extends from sub-Saharan 
Africa across the Middle East and into the Indian subcontinent. A sighting of a striped hyena in the wild is a genuinely rare  and genuinely remarkable event

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one that even experienced guides celebrate. For guests whose journeys take them into Samburu, Tsavo or the drier zones of nor thern Kenya, keeping watch 
for this animal adds a layer of anticipation and discovery to every night drive.  

39 5,000-14,000 27m 90-91 days 
Range countries World population (IUCN) Max. recorded den length Gestation period 
Where to See Striped Hyena in Kenya 
Striped hyenas are most reliably encountered in Kenya's northern regions particularly in and around Samburu National Reserve,  Buffalo Springs, and the 
drier areas of Laikipia and Tsavo. They are strictly nocturnal and extremely shy, making night drives the  only realistic opportunity for a sighting. Inform your 
guide of your specific interest in striped hyenas: experienced guides in the north will know favoured routes and habits that significantly increase the probability 
of an encounter. 

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Night drives are the only realistic option for striped hyena sightings. Request these specifically in Samburu or northern Tsavo. Drive slowly and scan 
the roadside verges and dry riverbeds carefully striped hyenas often follow established paths and road edges. A spotlight used sparingly and at a low angle is most 
effective. Be patient: striped hyenas are rarely in a hurry and a relaxed individual may remain visible for several minutes. 
Did You Know? The striped hyena is one of the least studied large carnivores in Africa, and much about its behaviour and ecology remains po orly 
understood. Unlike the spotted hyena, the striped hyena is primarily a solitary animal encounters with pairs or family groups  are particularly rare and 
significant. When threatened, a striped hyena can erect the long mane along its spine and neck, dramatically increasing its a pparent size as a deterrent to 
predators. 

🐘 The African Elephant 
Scientific name: Loxodonta africana   Habitat: Woodland and savanna   IUCN: Vulnerable   Adult weight: 2,500-6,500kg 
The African elephant is the largest land animal on earth a creature of such intelligence, such emotional complexity, and such  extraordinary physical presence 
that no description fully prepares you for the reality of standing in their proximity. To watch a family herd, move across the landscape the matriarch leading, 
the calves stumbling and playing, the teenagers sparring is to observe a society of genuine depth: one governed by memory, by  affection, by grief, and by a 
collective wisdom encoded over generations. Kenya's elephant population, devastated by poaching in previous decades, has recovered significantly and the 
country now hosts some of the finest and most accessible elephant viewing in Africa.  

40-60,000 3.48m 22 months 5kg+ 
Trunk muscles Record tusk length Gestation period Brain weight 

Where to See African Elephant in Kenya 
Amboseli National Park is Kenya's premier elephant destination home to some of the most studied and most relaxed elephant fam ilies in the world, moving 
against the spectacular backdrop of Kilimanjaro. The Amboseli elephants are known for their large tusks and their extraordinary habituation to vehicles, 
allowing proximity that is rare anywhere else. The Tsavo ecosystem hosts Kenya's largest elephant population massive herds th at turn red from the iron-rich 
dust of the landscape. Laikipia's conservancies offer intimate elephant encounters in a diverse, semi-arid environment. The Samburu National Reserve is 
home to the famous Samburu elephant families, documented in detail by Save the Elephants encounters here are enriched by the extraordinary knowledge 
local guides bring to each sighting. 

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Request time with a family herd rather than solitary bulls - the social dynamics of a matriarch-led family reveal the full depth of elephant intelligence 
and emotion. Ask your guide about specific matriarchs and their families: in Amboseli especially, individual elephants are known by name and their stories are 
extraordinary. Never crowd an elephant with calves: mother elephants are protective and unpredictable. Dusk, when elephants gather at waterholes and interact with 
extraordinary expressiveness, offers the most memorable viewing. 
Did You Know? Elephants are one of the few animals known to recognise themselves in a mirror a marker of self-awareness shared only with great 
apes, dolphins and humans. They communicate not only through vocalizations but through infrasound vibrations below the range of human hearing that 
travel through the ground and can be detected by other elephants up to 10 kilometres away. Elephants have been observed retur ning to the bones of 
deceased family members and handling them with what appears to be genuine grief. 

🦏 Black Rhinoceros 
Scientific name: Diceros bicornis   Habitat: Scrub & open woodland   IUCN: Critically Endangered   Adult weight: 800-1,400kg 
The black rhinoceros is one of Africa's most critically endangered species and one of its most compelling a survivor of prehistoric lineage that carries the 
weight of its own near-extinction with a dignity and an indifference to human drama that is, in its own way, profoundly moving. Smaller, more solita ry and 
considerably more aggressive than its white cousin, the black rhino is a browser rather than a grazer using its distinctive hooked lip to manipulate branches 
and leaves with surprising delicacy. To see a black rhino in the wild is an experience that fewer and fewer people in the world have had and one that carries 
with it the particular gravity of knowing that this animal's survival hangs, daily, by the slenderest of threads.  

1.6m 3,500m 30-35 yrs 7.7km² 
Shoulder height Maximum altitude Longevity Territory size 

Where to See Black Rhinoceros in Kenya 
Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia is Kenya's most important black rhino sanctuary and home to the largest black rhino populat ion in East Africa as well as the 
last two northern white rhinos on earth. Tracking black rhinos on foot at Ol Pejeta, accompanied by armed rangers and expert guides, is one of the most 
extraordinary wildlife experiences Kenya offers. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, also in Laikipia, hosts a healthy and growing bla ck rhino population with excellent 
viewing from vehicles. Nairobi National Park extraordinary in its own right for hosting wildlife within sight of a major city skyline is home to a small but viewable 
black rhino population.

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Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Request a black rhino tracking experience on foot where available Ol Pejeta offers this and it is incomparable. The experience of approaching a 
black rhino in thick bush, on foot, with a ranger who knows each individual animal's personality, is unlike anything available from a vehicle. Black rhinos are most active in 
the early morning and late afternoon midday sightings are rare as they rest in shade. They are solitary and territorial: be patient and remain still if one approaches your 
vehicle. 
Did You Know? Despite their fearsome reputation, black rhinos have extremely poor eyesight they rely primarily on smell and hearing to dete ct threats. 
The extraordinary conservation story of Kenya's black rhino population which has grown from a low of around 300 individ uals in the 1990s to over 700 
today is one of the greatest wildlife recovery stories in Africa. A rhino's horn is made entirely of keratin the same materia l as human fingernails and has 
absolutely no medicinal properties despite the catastrophic belief that drives continued poaching. 

🦏 White Rhinoceros 
Scientific name: Ceratotherium simum   Habitat: Woodland savannah   IUCN: Near Threatened   Adult weight: 1,800-2,700kg 
The white rhinoceros is the larger, more sociable, and more serene of Africa's two rhino species a grazer of open grasslands whose broad, square lip is 
perfectly designed for cropping short grass, and whose relatively placid temperament makes it more toler ant of vehicle proximity than its black cousin. The 
name 'white' is a mistranslation of the Afrikaans 'wyd' meaning wide, referring to the animal's broad mouth and has nothing t o do with colour. Kenya's white 
rhinos are concentrated in a small number of heavily protected sanctuaries, making each encounter a genuine privilege and a testament to the conservation 
work that has pulled this species back from the edge. 

±18,000 50 km/h ±50 yrs 205cm 
World population (IUCN 
2018) 
Maximum speed Life expectancy Record horn length 
Where to See White Rhinoceros in Kenya 
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is the most important location for white rhino viewing in Kenya and also holds the last two surviving n orthern white rhinos on earth, 
Sudan's daughters Najin and Fatu, whose extraordinary story is one of the most poignant in modern co nservation. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Solio 
Ranch in Laikipia also host white rhino populations with good viewing opportunities. The white rhino experience at Ol Pejeta where visitors can observe these 
animals from a respectful distance with expert guidance is deeply moving for every guest who makes the journey. 

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: White rhinos are grazers and are best found on open grassland look for them near short-grass areas in the early morning. They are more sociable 
than black rhinos and are frequently found in small groups of females with calves. At Ol Pejeta, ask specifically about the northern white rhinos the opportunity to see these 
last two individuals and understand their conservation story is a profound and important experience. Vehicle approaches should be slow and quiet: though more tolerant 
than black rhinos, white rhinos are easily stressed by noise. 
Did You Know? The two northern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta, Najin and Fatu, represent the end of a subspecies that once ranged across Central  Africa. 
Their eggs have been fertilized using frozen sperm from deceased males in a last-chance scientific effort to save the northern white rhino through 
assisted reproduction one of the most ambitious conservation projects ever attempted. The southern white rhino, by contrast, represents one of 
conservation's greatest success stories: recovered from fewer than 50 individuals in the late 19th century to approximately 1 8,000 today. 

🦌 Common Eland 
Scientific name: Taurotragus oryx   Habitat: Open savanna & grasslands   IUCN: Least Concern   Adult weight: 340-940kg 
The common eland is the world's largest antelope a massive, ox-like creature of surprising grace and extraordinary endurance, whose ability to jump, gallop 
and survive in the harshest African environments belies its impressive bulk. The eland is deeply emb edded in the mythology and spiritual life of the San 
people of southern Africa, appearing in their rock art more frequently than any other animal a testament to the reverence thi s remarkable creature has 
inspired across millennia. In Kenya, elands are found across the savannah and grassland ecosystems, and their slow, measured movements and calm 
presence make them one of the most rewarding animals to spend time with in the field.  

1.83m 2.5m 15-20 yrs 7 litres 
Max. shoulder height (bull) Jump height Life expectancy Daily milk production 
Where to See Common Eland in Kenya 
Elands are found throughout Kenya's savannah ecosystems the Maasai Mara, Laikipia Plateau, Amboseli and Tsavo all host reliab le populations. Large 
mixed herds are most commonly encountered in the Mara during the dry season when they congregate in open gras sland. The Laikipia Plateau offers some 
of the finest eland viewing in Kenya, with large herds on several private conservancies. Elands are migratory and can cover e normous distances their 
movements are seasonal and your guide will advise on the best locations based on current conditions. 

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Approach eland herds slowly and from downwind despite their size, they are surprisingly skittish. The sound a bull eland makes as it walks a 
distinctive clicking produced by the tendons of its front legs carries a remarkable distance and is an excellent way to locate a herd before it is visible. Mixed herds with 
calves are particularly rewarding: the social interactions between adults and young, and the remarkable acceptance of multiple calves by females in a crèche arrangement, 
are fascinating to observe. 
Did You Know? Despite being the world's largest antelope, the eland can sustain a trot of 22 km/h almost indefinitely and can outrun a hors e over a long 
distance. Its remarkable physiological adaptations for heat regulation include the ability to allow its body temperat ure to rise by up to 7 degrees Celsius 
during the heat of the day, then radiate that heat overnight dramatically reducing the need to sweat and therefore to drink.  
🦎 Ground Pangolin 
Scientific name: Smutsia temminckii   Habitat: Savannah woodland   IUCN: Vulnerable   Adult weight: 5-27kg 
The pangolin is the world's most trafficked mammal and one of its most extraordinary. A solitary, nocturnal creature encased from head to tail in overlapping 
scales of keratin, the pangolin looks more like a living pinecone than an animal. It is in fact a highly specialized insectivore, using its extraordinary 40-
centimetre tongue to extract termites and ants from deep within mounds and underground nests with a precision and efficiency that is remarkable to observe. 
A pangolin sighting in Kenya is one of the rarest and most celebrated wildlife encounters on the continent experienced guides with decades in the field may 
see only a handful in a lifetime. If you are fortunate enough to encounter one, you will understand immediately why.  

8 40cm 20% 15cm 
Pangolin species worldwide Length of tongue Scales as body weight Newborn baby length

Page 8

Where to See Ground Pangolin in Kenya 
Pangolins are found in suitable habitat throughout Kenya's wildlife areas but are extremely rarely seen due to their strictly  nocturnal behaviour and 
exceptional camouflage. The Laikipia Plateau with its diverse bush and termite-rich soils is considered one of Kenya's best environments for pangolin 
encounters. Several of the private conservancies in Laikipia have documented regular pangolin activity and some have resident  pangolins that are 
occasionally encountered on night drives. Ol Pejeta and Lewa both have recorded pangolin sightings. A night drive specifically focused on pangolin 
searching, with an experienced guide who knows the signs of pangolin activity, offers the best available chance of an encount er. 
Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Pangolin sightings require dedicated night drives with a knowledgeable guide. Inform your guide and camp manager of your specific desire to see a 
pangolin: this is the single most effective thing you can do. Pangolins are attracted to specific termite mound species experienced guides know which termite mounds in 
their area are favoured. If you encounter a pangolin, instruct your driver to cut the engine completely: engine noise causes pangolins to curl into a ball, ending the 
encounter. Observe in silence and at a respectful distance for the most remarkable experience. 
Did You Know? The pangolin is the only mammal in the world covered in scales and those scales, composed of keratin, are harder and more res ilient 
than most materials in the natural world. When threatened, a pangolin curls into a tight, virtually impenetrable ball a defense so effective that even lions 
have been observed abandoning attempts to uncurl them. Tragically, this defense provides no protection against poachers, making the pangolin the most 
trafficked mammal on earth despite strict legal protection. 
🐷 Aardvark 
Scientific name: Orycteropus afer   Habitat: Grassland & woodland   IUCN: Least Concern   Adult weight: 60-80kg 
The aardvark is one of Africa's most fascinating and most rarely seen nocturnal animals a creature so evolutionarily unique t hat it constitutes its own 
mammalian order, Tubulidentata, with no close living relatives anywhere in the animal kingdom. With its elongated snout, rabbit-like ears, arched back and 
shuffling gait, the aardvark is unmistakable and utterly improbable-looking an animal that appears to have been assembled from spare parts borrowed from 
several other species. Its role in the African ecosystem is enormously important: the burrows it excavates provide shelter for dozens of other species, from 
warthogs and hyenas to monitor lizards and African wild cats. A night-time encounter with an aardvark is one of Africa's most coveted wildlife moments.  

50,000 13 metres 30cm 7 months 
Insects nightly consumed Max. burrow length Tongue length Gestation period 
Where to See Aardvark in Kenya 
Aardvarks are found throughout Kenya's wildlife areas in suitable habitat but are almost never seen during daylight hours. Th e Laikipia Plateau, with its dense 
termite populations and diverse bush terrain, is considered among Kenya's best areas for aardvar k encounters on night drives. Several Laikipia 
conservancies have documented regular aardvark activity. Ol Pejeta and Lewa both offer night drives on which aardvarks have b een encountered. The 
Maasai Mara ecosystem also supports aardvarks, though sightings are relatively rare given the open nature of the landscape. 

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Night drives are the only realistic option for aardvark encounters they are active from shortly after dark until just before dawn. Scan termite mounds 
carefully: aardvarks feed at mounds and can remain at a productive site for extended periods. If your spotlight picks up an aardvark in the open, instruct your driver to cut 
the engine and coast slowly: aardvarks are extremely sensitive to vehicle noise and will flee immediately if disturbed. An aardvark actively digging is the most spectacular 
viewing the speed and power of their excavation is extraordinary. 
Did You Know? The aardvark's name comes from Afrikaans meaning 'earth pig' though it is not related to pigs in any way. Its closest living relatives are 
elephants, hyraxes and manatees, sharing a distant common ancestor that lived approximately 85 million years ago. A s ingle aardvark can consume up 
to 50,000 ants and termites in a single night, consuming them with a sticky, elongated tongue so fast that individual insects  are invisible to the human 
eye. 

🦓 Zebra 
Scientific name: Equus quagga (Plains) / Equus grevyi (Grevy's) Habitat: Woodland and savannah   IUCN: Near Threatened   Adult weight: 155-322kg 
Kenya is home to two species of zebra the plains zebra, which is widespread across the country's savannah ecosystems, and the  magnificent Grevy's zebra 
of the arid north, the world's largest wild equid and one of its most endangered. Both species are centr al to the ecological fabric of Kenya's wildlife areas and 
to the visual language of the African landscape the sight of a herd of zebra moving through golden grass at dusk is one of th e images that defines Kenya 
more completely than almost any other. The plains zebra is a key participant in the Great Migration, forming vast herds alongside wildebeest and gazelle that 
together constitute one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth. 

500,000 10-12km 3 yrs <2,000 
Plains zebra population Max. distance from water Female first birth Grevy's zebra remain 
Where to See Zebra in Kenya 
Plains zebras are found in enormous numbers in the Maasai Mara during the migration season, herds of tens of thousands can be  encountered as well as in 
Amboseli, Tsavo and throughout Kenya's savannah ecosystems. Grevy's zebra are found exclusively in the a rid north of Kenya the Samburu National 
Reserve, Buffalo Springs and the Laikipia Plateau are the primary locations, with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy particularly impo rtant for their conservation. A 
journey to see Grevy's zebra in the north combines the wildlife encounter with some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in Kenya.  

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: For plains zebra, the migration months of July to October in the Maasai Mara offer the most spectacular viewing vast herds intermingled with 
wildebeest and gazelle in a spectacle of truly geological scale. For Grevy's zebra, plan a dedicated visit to Samburu or Lewa and inform your guide of your specific 
interest: Grevy's zebra have specific habitat preferences and known favoured locations. Look for the distinctive difference in stripe patterns: Grevy's stripes are narrower 
and more numerous than plains zebra, and they have large rounded ears and a white belly without stripes. 
Did You Know? No two zebras have identical stripe patterns each individual is as unique as a human fingerprint. The function of zebra strip es has been 
debated by scientists for over a century: current evidence suggests that stripes may confuse biting insects, disrupt th e visual tracking of predators during 
a chase, or regulate body temperature. The Grevy's zebra is so evolutionarily distinct from the plains zebra that the two spe cies are no more closely 
related to each other than they are to domestic horses. 

🦒 Giraffe 
Scientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis   Habitat: Woodland savanna   IUCN: Vulnerable   Adult weight: 800-1,200kg 
The giraffe is the world's tallest living terrestrial animal and one of its most immediately recognizable a creature of such improbable elegance that the eye 
takes time to adjust to the reality of it, even after many sightings. Kenya is home to three of the world's most endangered g iraffe subspecies the Maasai 
giraffe, the reticulated giraffe and the Rothschild's giraffe each with distinct coat patterns and each found in specific regions of the country. All three are 
classified as Endangered or Vulnerable, making every encounter with a wild giraffe in Kenya a privilege that carries genuine conservation significance.

Page 9

Watching a tower of giraffes moving through fever trees at dusk, their heads glowing amber in the last of the light, is one o f the quieter but most enduringly 
beautiful things Africa has to offer. 

5.88m 45cm ±11kg 60 km/h 
Maximum height (male) Tongue length Heart weight Maximum speed 
Where to See Giraffe in Kenya 
Maasai giraffe are found throughout the Maasai Mara ecosystem, Amboseli and Tsavo they are the most commonly encountered gira ffe in southern Kenya 
and are reliably seen on most game drives. Reticulated giraffe, with their distinctive large, clearly defined  chestnut patches, are found in northern Kenya 
Samburu National Reserve is the primary location and encounters here are among the finest in Africa. Rothschild's giraffe, on e of the most endangered 
giraffe subspecies with fewer than 3,000 remaining, can be seen at Giraffe Centre in Nairobi where they can be fed by hand at eye level and at several 
Laikipia conservancies. Soysambu Conservancy in the Rift Valley also hosts a significant Rothschild's population.  

Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: Giraffes are active throughout the day and are among the most reliably encountered animals on most Kenya itineraries. Spend time with a tower 
rather than simply photographing and moving on: observe the social interactions, the sparring of males (called necking), the extraordinary drinking posture legs splayed, 
neck lowered that leaves them momentarily vulnerable and expressive. At the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, the experience of feeding a reticulated giraffe by hand at head 
height is one of the most joyful wildlife encounters available anywhere on the continent particularly for children. 
Did You Know? A giraffe's heart weighs approximately 11 kilograms and beats 150 times per minute generating enough pressure to pump blood t wo 
metres upward through the neck to reach the brain. To drink, a giraffe must spread its front legs so far apart that it become s vulnerable to predator attack: 
most giraffes approach water with extreme caution and drink as quickly as possible before returning to a standing position. D espite having seven neck 
vertebrae the same number as most mammals including humans each individual v ertebra in a giraffe's neck can be over 25 centimeter's long. 
🦌 Gerenuk 
Scientific name: Litocranius walleri   Habitat: Flat, dry thornbush   IUCN: Near Threatened   Adult weight: 28-52kg 
The gerenuk whose name in Somali means 'giraffe-necked' is one of Africa's most distinctive and most charming antelopes: a slender, impossibly long -
necked gazelle that has evolved the remarkable ability to stand fully upright on its hind legs to browse fro m branches and shrubs far above the reach of other 
antelope. Found primarily in the arid and semi-arid zones of northern Kenya, the gerenuk is one of those animals that makes experienced safari travellers 
reach for their cameras with genuine excitement partly for its extraordinary appearance and partly because a sighting is specific enough to feel genuinely 
earned. The image of a gerenuk standing on its hind legs, neck fully extended, browsing calmly from a thorny acacia, is one o f the most singular wildlife 
photographs Kenya offers. 

90cm 56 km/h 7 months Northern Kenya 
Average height Top speed Gestation period Primary range 
Where to See Gerenuk in Kenya 
The gerenuk is found almost exclusively in northern Kenya and is closely associated with the arid thornbush ecosystems of Sam buru National Reserve, 
Buffalo Springs National Reserve and the surrounding areas. Samburu is by far the most reliable location for  gerenuk sightings in Kenya they are a regular 
and treasured part of the northern Kenya experience. The Shaba National Reserve and the drier areas of Laikipia also host ger enuk populations. A safari that 
includes Samburu whether as a standalone destination or as part of a broader Kenya itinerary combining north and south is the most reliable way to 
encounter this remarkable animal. 
Vard note:   Pro Viewing Tips: In Samburu, ask your guide to focus time in areas of dense thornbush gerenuk favour acacia and commiphora species for browsing. The most 
spectacular sighting involves finding an individual or small group standing upright on their hind legs: scan shrubs at a height of 1.5 to 2 metres for the distinctive long neck 
and large eyes at that unusual height. Gerenuks are relatively confiding around vehicles when approached slowly and quietly patience and stillness are rewarded with 
extended observations of their extraordinary feeding behaviour. 
Did You Know? The gerenuk has evolved a physiological adaptation so specific it is found in no other antelope: specially strengthened hind legs and a 
modified spinal structure that allows it to stand fully upright and balance for extended periods while browsing. This gi ves it access to food sources 
completely unavailable to other herbivores in its habitat. Perhaps most remarkably, the gerenuk obtains all the water it need s from the plants it eats it 
never needs to drink, giving it a significant survival advantage in the arid environments it inhabits. 
DISCOVER ICONIC DESTINATIONS WE LOVE IN KENYA: 
- Nairobi eco system. 
- The Maasai mara national reserve and private bordering conservancies. 
- Meru national park eco system. 
- The Laikipia Plateau and private bordering conservancies. 
- The Olpejeta conservancy eco system. 
- Mount Kenya eco system. 
- Aberdare ranges.  
- The Lake Turkana eco system. 
- The Northern Kenya Matthews range. 
- The Samburu land and private bordering conservancies. 
- The Namunyak conservancy eco system. 
- Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru national park eco system. 
- The Amboseli national park and private bordering conservancies. 
- The Chyulu hills eco system. 
- Tsavo East &West national parks and private bordering conservancies. 
- Mombasa. 
- The Lamu Archipelago. 
- Watamu sandy beaches. 
- Kilifi sandy beaches. 
- Diani sandy beaches. 
- Malindi sandy beaches.

Page 10

OUR SIGNATURE VARD EXPERIENCES IN KENYA: 
Our Favorite Journey's that define Kenya right now: 
1) The Golden hour safari experience-9 Days 8 Nights Vard Experience. 
02N Amboseli-03N Masai mara-03N Nights Laikipia. 
2) East Africa's golden savannahs-13 Days 12 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N-Nairobi-02N-Amboseli-02N Masai mara-03N Laikipia-04N Kenyan coast. 
3) The Ultimate birding experience in kenya-11 Days 10 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N Nairobi-02N Meru-02N Samburu-02N Laikipia-03N Masai mara. 
4) Photography birding experience-09 Days 08 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N Nairobi-02N Bogoria-01N Elementaita-03N Masai mara-01N Naivasha. 
5) The hawk birding expedition-08 Days 7 Nights Vard experience. 
02N Tsavo east-01N Tsavo west-02N Amboseli-02N Naivasha. 
6) The Eagle's nest experience-07 Days 6 Nights Vard Experience. 
02N Olpejeta - 04N Masai mara. 
7) The signature photography experience- 09 Days 08 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N-Nairobi-03N Olpejeta conservancy-04N Mara conservancy. 
8) The Ultimate Great migration experience-13 Days 12 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N-Nairobi-03N Masai mara reserve-03N Mara conservancy-02N Amboseli-03N Lamu island. 
9) The travel with purpose experience. -11 Days 10 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N-Nairobi-03N Chyulu hills-03N Lewa wilderness-03N Masai mara national park. 
10) East Africa inspired by Vard-12 Days 11 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N-Nairobi-03 N Masai mara national reserve-05 N-Serengeti national park-02 N Ngorongoro crater. 
11) Horseback riding safari in Kenya- 08 Days 07 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N-Nairobi-03N-Masai mara-03N-Laikipia conservancy. 
12) Wellness in the wild experience- 11 Days 10 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N-Nairobi-03N Laikipia-03N Namunyak conservancy-03N Masai mara. 
13) The Iconic Masai mara and Laikipia experience-07 Days 6 Nights Vard Experience. 
03N- Masai mara national reserve- 03 N Laikipia private conservancies. 
14) The Ultimate Kenya family adventure-11 Days 10 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N-Nairobi-02 N-Masai mara national reserve-03 N-Laikipia-04 N-Kenyan coast. 
15) Fly me to the Mara-04 Days 3 Nights Vard Experience. 
03N- Masai mara national reserve. 
16) Safari Njema Fly in Safari-11 Days 10 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N-Nairobi-04N-Masai mara-05N-Kenyan coast. 
17) Kenya Walking safari-07 Days 6 Nights Vard Experience. 
01N-Nairobi-03N-Laikipia-02N-Masai mara. 
18) The Sky Nest experience-13 Days 12 Nights 
01N-Nairobi-03N-Masai mara-03N-Laikipia-02N-Chyulu hills-03N Lamu 
19) The Lioness territory-09 Days 8 Nights 
02N-Meru national park-03N-Masai mara-03N-Mara north conservancy 
20) Fly me to the North-11 Days 10 Nights 
01N-Nairobi-03N-Samburu reserve-03N-Namunyak conservancy-03N-Laikipia private conservancies. 
21) Fly me to the Jade Sea-09 Days 08 Nights 
02N Laikipia-03N Suguta valley & The Jade sea-03N Namunyak conservancy. 
22) Endangered species scenic safari-09 Days 08 Nights 
02N-Mara Naboisho conservancy-02N-Laikipia-02N-Lewa wildlife conservancy-02N-Samburu reserve. 
23) Tusk territory experience-12 Days 11 Nights 
01N-Nairobi-02N-Amboseli-03N-Lewa wilderness-03N-Masai mara-02N-Mara Naboisho conservancy. 
24) Out of Africa Fly in Safari-10 Days 9 Nights 
01N-Nairobi-03N-Tsavo wilderness-02N-Amboseli-03N-Mara North conservancy. 
25) The Dusk to dawn experience- 09 Days 08 Nights 
01N-Nairobi-03N-Masai mara-04N-Diani beach 
26) Timeless sunset safari-07 Days 06 Nights 
01N-Nairobi-03N-Tsavo wilderness-02N-Amboseli national park 
27) Barefoot Luxury safari- 08 Days 07 Nights 
04N-Walking safari-03N-Lamu island 
28) Conservation led travel-08 Days 7 Nights 
01N-Nairobi-03N-Mara Naboisho conservancy-03N Laikipia.

Page 11

29) The Great Migration safari-09 Days 08 Nights  
01N-Nairobi-04N-Masai mara-03N-Mara North conservancy 
30) Reconnect to the Wilderness-13 Days 12 Nights 
01N-Nairobi-03N-Siruai mobile camp-03N-Solio lodge-02N-Lake Naivasha-03N-Masai mara 
31) Yoga wildlife retreat-06 Days 05 Nights 
01N-Nairobi-04N-Laikipia 
32) Bush and beach safari-12 Days 11 Nights 
02N-Samburu-02N-Solio lodge-03N-Masai mara-04N-Diani beach 
OUR JOURNAL FROM KENYA: 
Related Articles & blogs. 
- Who are the Maasai tribe in Kenya? 
- Can I feed a Giraffe in Kenya? 
- Travel with your tribe on safari. 
- Intimate small groups on safari in kenya. 
- What to pack for a safari in Kenya. 
- Hot air ballooning in Kenya. 
- How do I get to the Masai mara national reserve? 
- When should I visit kenya? 
- How do I get to Amboseli national park? 
- How do I get to Laikipia? 
- How do I get to Nairobi Kenya? 
- How do I get to Borana conservancy? 
- Why visit Nairobi national park? 
- Why visit Nairobi? 
- Why visit Chyulu national park? 
- How do I get to Chyulu national park? 
- Where can I spend my honeymoon in Kenya? 
- Where can I celebrate my birthday in Kenya? 
- Can I spend my honeymoon in Kenya? 
- What is a honeymoon safari? 
- Why Visit Samburu national park? 
- When should I visit Laikipia? 
- Why visit Laikipia? 
- Why visit the rift valley lakes? 
- Why Visit Lamu? 
- Why visit the Kenyan coast? 
- What countries can i pair with Kenya? 
- What should I expect from a Kenyan safari? 
- How much is a Kenyan safari? 
- What do I need to know about Kenya? 
- What's the meaning of a game drive? 
- Do I need a pair of binoculars for my safari to Africa? 
- What do I need to know about kenya? 
- What is the great wildebeest migration? 
- When and where to witness the great migration? 
- What causes the Great Wildebeest migration? 
- Kenya's great migration safari 
- When does the great migration start? 
- Complete guide to the great migration. 
- Did you know that the African Buffalo is one of the most dangerous members of the Big 5 of Africa? 
- When to go on a Big 5 safari? 
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BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY TO KENYA, 
Kenya is not a destination you visit once. It is a country you return to again and again because it gives something new every  time, and because the pull of it, 
once felt, does not release.  
We have been designing Kenya journeys for guests who ask the most of Africa and we have never once run out of ways to astonis h them. 
Speak to one of our Kenyan experts to begin planning your journey. 
www.vardafrica.com